Mining apparatus



M. P. HOLMES.

MINING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27, 1919.

Patentefl Nov. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

M. P. HOLMES.

MINING APPARATUS; APPUICATION rluin JUNE 21. 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

EQIINHTEID) 'ATES ...PATENT @rm MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Mining Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to mining apparatus.

It has among its objects to provide an improved mining apparatus especially adapted to use in kerf cutting. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus equipped with improved means whereby the angle of the cutting apparatus may be varied with respect to the bottom, and wherein the elevation of the cutting apparatus may likewise be adjusted. A stillfurther object of my invention is to provide an improved and simplified supporting means whereby the above results may be obtained, and whereby the cutting apparatus may be adjusted with great facility, the supporting and adjusting mechanism being of a simple and rugged construction which may be manufactured at small expense and,'if desired, used in cohnection with machines of standard construction. These and other objects and advantages of myimproved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the acompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration two forms which-my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved construction.

I Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4c is a detail transverse sectional view on line air- 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the apparatus in one of its adjust/ed positions.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a preferredsequence of cuts made by an apparatus of my improved construction.

Fig. 7 is a side elevatlon of a modified construction.

Application filed June 27, 1919. Serial No. 307,212;

. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the samein elevated position.

In these illustrative constructions, it will be observed that while the cutting apparatus may assume various forms, I'have shown the same for purposes of illustration to'comprise a mining machine 1 of a standard room and pillar type, which may be briefly described as including a cutter bar 2 carrying the usual cutter chain 3 and a feed driving member, herein a sprocket 4, adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding member, herein a feed chain 5, to feed the apparatus relative to its Work, both the cutting mechanism and the feeding mechanism being driven, as in a usual construction, through connections not shown, by a motor 6 carried in the machine frame. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, it will also be observed that the machine 1 is removably carried on a suitable plate 7 the usual shoe 8 of the machine resting thereon and the machine being detachably clamped in position on the plate by means of upstanding flanges 9 so that it may be removed for independent use whenever the truck in either direction in a suitable guideway 13 when the feed chain '5 of the machine is connected to abutments in front orrear thereof, herein including a rear chain fork 14, front chain forks 15, and rear hooks 16, the members 15 and 16 being provided on the opposite ends and sides of the truck, and the members 15 being removable. As in a usual construction, it will also be observed that the machine 1, is operatively connected to truck wheels 17 disposed beneath the truck, by means of a power drive includingv a sprocket and a removable chain connection 18 driven through usual connec- 'tions not shown, from a gear 19 carried on the truck and meshing in the transport position of the machine with a gear 20 carried on the latter and driven from its motor.

In the form of my improved construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6, it will be observed that the truck 11 is provided with a lower plate 21 disposed substantially beneath the center of gravity of the machine when the latter is in transport position. This plate 21 in turn has journaled at each side thereof a plurality of transverse pivot pins 22 slightly spaced longitudinally and carrying dependin angle members 23 which are slidable vertically between a plurality of cooperating upstanding angle members 24 and 25 carried rigidly by a lower section 26 of the truck frame, herein normally disposed parallel to and beneath the section 11 and forming the wheeled section of the truck frame. As shown, each of these members 23 is provided with a vertical slot 23 and a hole 23" immediately above the same, and each member 23 is movable vertically between a pair of cooperating members 24, 25, each provided with a series of vertically arranged perforations 27 therein, adapted when registering with said slot or hole to receive one of a plurality of pins 28, herein three, as shown, connected to a'three-branch chain 29. Thus, it will be observed that through the provision of the pivotal support thus formed, the frame 11 and the machine carried thereon is provided with a substantial support disposed substantially beneath the center of gravity of the machine when the latter is in transport position. Here, it will also be observed that in order further to increase the stability of the support I have provided depending members or legs 30 on each corner of the frame 11, which members extend downward between, and herein inside of, cooperating ears or projections 31 extending oppositely from the opposite ends of the lower frame 26 and adapted to be held in any desired relation to those members by means of set screws 32, the members 30 herein, as preferably, also each being braced transversely by cross bars 33 to increase the rigidity of the support. 4

In the use of my improved construction, it will be evident that when it is desired to vary the plane of the cutting apparatus, i. e. whenever it is desired to unload, load or insert a kerf at a difierent angle, this may be readily accomplished after first releasing the set screws 32 and removing the chain 18, by tilting the bar 2 and adjusting the pins 28. Here we willconsider the elevatirig operation. When the pins at the left ig. I) extend through the holes 23" and the reglstering holes 27 in the members 24, 25, as they do during transport the third or unused pins may obviously be inserted at any timein the tops of the slots 23' and theregisterwg holes in the members 24, 25

character is not suflicient, or if it is desired to adjust the machine vertically at the same time that its angle to the horizontal is altered, it will be evident that this tilting operation of the bar may be repeated in opposite directions, accompanied by successive withdrawals and reinsertions of the different sets of pins 28 as the machine is tilted. It will also be evident that where desired to simply raise the level of. the machine without varying its inclination to the horizontal, such an effect may also be produced by a series of similar operations, it only being necessary for one operator to adjust the sets of pins while the other operator uses the end of the bar as a lever to tilt the machine about its center of gravity. It will, of course, be understood that when the machine has been adjusted into the desired angular position with respect to the horizontal, or in the desired vertical position, the available set screws are re-set, and that the cutting apparatus on the truck frame 11 may be unloaded or used to cut on the' truck in any well known manner, for example, in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 6, wherein its successive sumping, swinging and withdrawal cuts in an entry face are illustrated.

In the modification of my improved construction shownin Figs. 7 and 8, it will be observed that in lieu of the alternately operable pin arrangement hereinabove described, I have shown a plurality of sets of upstanding longitudinally braced supports 34 carried on the lower frame 26 and having oppositel located and serrated verticall disposed e ges 35 adapted to cooperate witli dog or ratchet members 36, herein, as in the case ofthe members 22, pivoted at 37 to a plate 38 fixed to the frame 1 and having oppositely disposed extensions 39 thereon adapted to be surrounded by and acted upon by a coiled spring 40, one spring preferably cooperatin with the two dogs on each side of the truc In this construction, it will be observed that as the machine, by movement of its bar, is successively tilted, about its pivots 37, the dogs or ratchet members 36 are caused successively to engage and travel along the teeth of the serrations 35, one set of dogs being efiective to support the parts as the other is moved relative to its cooperating teeth, and one set engaging the other during the operation thereof in such a manner as effectually to prevent any accidental lowering or dropping of the machine.

' adaptedv only to va insert or renew pins during the operation of varying the inclination of the cutting mechanism orits vertical position, one operator being thereby freed. Attention is also directedto the fact that in this construction in order to provide an aditional support for the frame 11 I have provided a plurality of telescopically adjustable connecting rods or jacks il connected between the front end of the lower .frame 26 and the front end of theupper frame 11, this construction, through the telescopic construction of the jacks, permitting a stable support to be provided whatever the connection of the frame 11 to the lower frame 26. So far as the operation of this form of my invention is concerned, it

' will here be evident that in this construction the machine is not intended to cut while on the truck, this form of mechanism being the elevation or angle of the truck or mac ine for unloading .purposes, or to vary the elevation or angle of the truck for loading purposes.

As a result of my improved construction,

it willbe observed that the'plane of unloading, loading, or operation of any cutting mechanism may be varied at will either about a horizontal axis and relative to the horizontal, or vertically, thereby adapting the apparatus to use when desired on pitching veins or on veins or benches'disposed at noted that improved means have been provided herein which eliminate all necessity for providing expensive, complex and heavy constructions adjustabletogether vertically at each cornerfland each having cooperating elevatingmeans such as the power operated devices and the like which have heretofore been proposed, the construction being such that it. is possible for an operator, by simply exerting pressure upon the free end of the bar, which herein acts as an effective lever,

to vary, as desired, the elevation of the machine, and, herein, also its angle wvith respect to its support. Also, it will be observed that through the provision of my improved means disposed substantially beneath the center of gravity of the machine and with the sets of pivots so closely associated, it is also possible-for the operator to accomplish these results without any material effort, the pivoting of the machine, as set forth, and the length of the bar, enablin the adjustment to be made with great facility, one of the two usual operators, in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, simply withdrawing and re- .inserting the pins 28, while the other operator exerts the desired pressureupon the end of the bar to loosen the pins and move the frame vertically; while in the form of my invention sho n in Figs. 7 and 8 one opera- It will also be ting mechanism thereon,

tor only is required to pump orjack the mation will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified'and embodied in still further forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What- I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and elevating means for the latter operable by movement of said cutting mechanism in a given plane.

2. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, andmeans operable by. movement of the latter in a given plane for supporting it at an angle to its normal position.

3. In a mining apparatus cutting mechanism, a support therefor, and means operable by movement of said cutting mechanism in a 'g1ven plane for selectively varying the ele- 'vation or angle thereof.

4:. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting means thereon, and elevatin means for said cutting means operable by ti ting movements of said cutting means.

5. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting means thereon, and elevating means for said cutting means 0 erable by reverse tilting movements of sa1d cutting means.

6. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting means thereon, and elevatin and supportin means for said cutting means successive y operable by movement of said cutting means.

7. In a mining apparatus, a Support, cutting mechanism supported thereon substantially at its center of gravity, and elevating means for said mechanism operable upon a tilting movement of one of said elements.

8. In a mining apparatus, a support, cut ting mechanism supported thereon. substantially at its center of gravity, and elevating means for said mechanism operable upon a tilting movement thereof.

9. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and elevating means for the latter operable upon successive tilting movements thereof and including a plurality of transverse pivots.

10. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutand elevating means for the latter operable by a tilting movement thereof and including a plurality of closely adjacent transverse pivots.

11. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, and elevating means for the latter operable by a tilting movement thereof and including a plurality of alternatelyv effective transverse pivots.

12. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon,

movement thereof and including a plurality of transverse pivots substantially beneath the center of gravity of said cutting means.

13. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting mechanism thereon, a plurality of transverse pivots operatively connected to said cutting mechanism, and means for varying the points of support thereof as said cutting mechanism is reversely tilted.

14. In a mining apparatus, a support, guiding mechanism thereon, a plurality of transverse pivots operatively connected to said guiding mechanism, and means for varying the points of support thereof as said cutting mechanism is reversely tilted.

15. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutting means thereon, cutter carrying means therebetween, and elevating means for said carrying means operable upon a tilting movement of one of said last mentioned elements.

16. In a mining apparatus, a support, guiding means thereon, cuttingmechanism movable on said guiding means, and elevating means operable upon a tilting movement of said guiding means.

17. In' a mining, apparatus, a support, guiding means thereon, cutting means guided on said guiding means, and elevating means operable upon a tilting movement of said cutting means.

18. In combination, a mining machine truck, a mining machine thereon including a cutter bar, and means for varying the elevation of said mining machine on said truck actuated by reverse movements of the free end of said bar.

19. The combination with a mining machine truck, of a mining machine thereon including a cutter bar, and elevating means:

for varying the angle thereof to the horizontal actuated by reverse movements of the free end of said bar.

20. The combination with a mining machine truck, of a mining machine thereon including a cutter bar, and jacking mechanism for said machine operated by reverse 'movements of said bar as the operating and elevatingmeans for the latter operable by a tilting chine truck, of guiding means thereon, cutting means movable longitudinally and angularly thereof, and elevating means for said guiding and cutting means operable upon a'tilting movement of one of said elements.

24. The combination with a mining ma chine truck, of guiding means thereon, cutting means movable longitudinally andangularly thereof, and elevating means for said guiding and cutting means operable upon a tilting movement of one-of said elements about a transverse axis.

25. The combination with a cutter .supporting means, of a support beneath the same, operative connections therebetween including a plurality of pivots, and means for successively varying the elevation of said pivots 'upon movement of said supporting means.

26. The combination with a cutter supporting means, of a truck beneath the latter, means therebetween including a plurality of transverse pivots for supporting said means, and means for varying the eleva tion of said pivotal supporting means.

27. The combination with a cutter sup porting means, of a truck beneath the latter, means therebetween including a plurality of transverse pivots for supporting said means, and means for varying the elevation of either of said transverse pivots.

28. The combination with a cutter supporting means, of-a truck beneath the latter. means therebetween including a plurality of transverse pivots for supporting said means, and means actuated by movement of the latter about one pivot for varying the elevation of the other. I

29. The combination with a cutter supporting means, of a support beneath the same, operative connections therebetween including aplurality of transverse pivots, and means for moving said supporting 'means about either pivot and vertically adholding means permitting vertical movement of one pivot upon a tilting movement of said frame about the other pivot.

31. The combination witl a cutter carrying frame, of a support therefor, and operativc connections therebetween including a plurality of pivots and releasable holding means permitting vertical movement of either pivot upon a tilting movement of said frame about the other pivot. 1

32. The combination with a mining machine, of guiding means therefor, a truck beneath the same, pivotal supporting means, therebetween including a plurality'of transverse pivots substantially beneath the center of gravity of said guiding means, and means whereby the elevation of said pivots may be alternately varied,

33-. The combination with a mining machine, of guidingmeans therefor, a truck beneath 'thesame, pivotal supporting means therebetween including a plurality of'transverse pivots substantially beneath the center of gravity of said guiding means, and means whereby the elevation of said pivots may be .alternately varied including means releasable upon a tilting movement of said guiding means.

34. The combination with a mining machine, of guiding means therefor, a truck beneath the same, pivotal supporting means therebetween including a plurality of transverse pivots .substantially beneath the center of gravity of said guiding means, and.

.means wherebythe elevation of said pivots maybe alternately varied including supporting'means releasable by a -tilting movement of said vcutting mechanism.

35. The combination with a mining machine, of guiding means therefor, a truck beneath the same, a pivotal supporting means includin a plurality of transverse pivots substantlallybeneath the center of gravit of said guiding means, and means where y the elevation of said pivots may be alternately varied including cooperating upstanding members carried-by said truck and pivotal supporting means, eachhaving.

- perforations therein, and pins receivable in said perforations. 4

36. The combination with a wheeled truck, of a M? machine receiving 5 r: u. re-

leasable holding and elevating connections therebetween adjustable upon successive tilting movements of said frame, truck driving mechanism on said frame and operatively connected to the truck wheels, and

a mining machine on.said frame tiltable therewith and connectable with said truck driving mechanism.

37 The combination with a wheeled truck, of a tiltable machine receiving frame, a plurality of alternatively releasable pivot means between said truck and frame, frame supports in front and rear of said pivot means,means for releasably connecting said frame supports and said truck, a mining machine, a sliding swiveled support between said frame and machine, and truck driving mechanism on said frame connectable with said machine and driving the truck, wheels,

38. In a mining apparatus, a support, eutter carrying means thereon, elevating means disposed substantially beneath the center of gravity of the latter and operable by a tilting movement thereof, and auxiliary supporting means operatively connectable between said support and said cutter carrying means at one side of said elevating means.

39. In a mining apparatus, a support, cutter carrying means, thereon, elevating means disposed substantially beneath the center of gravity of the latter and operable by a tilting movement thereof,, and auxiliary supporting means operatively connectable between said support and said cutter carrying means at opposite sidesiof said elevating means.

.lln testimony whereof I afix my signature.

- nonnrs r. nomtns 

